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OSAS doctrine denies the faith
- Thread starter InSpiritInTruth
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D
DesiredHaven
Guest
Jesus is the vine, only the branches that bear fruit get pruned those that dont get taken away though, notice that?
S
Sirk
Guest
What of the parable of the fig tree? Did they cut it down and throw it in the fire or did the farmer till the soil and fertilize it and bring it back?
C
Called4Christ
Guest
The lesson for the individual is that borrowed time is not permanent.
God's patience has a limit. In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. Christ stands at the door of each man’s heart knocking and seeking to gain entrance and requiring repentance from sin. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end, and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time; judgment is near. That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Source: What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?
God's patience has a limit. In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. Christ stands at the door of each man’s heart knocking and seeking to gain entrance and requiring repentance from sin. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end, and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time; judgment is near. That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Source: What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?
D
DesiredHaven
Guest
Luke 13:9 And if it bear fruit,well:
and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
He also said,
Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
S
Sirk
Guest
Limiting God's patience is something that you have done.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Interesting.......kind of like the failed rapture theory. As we see throughout the bible, its better to be left behind! Noah, left behind. Isrealites, left behind while the pharoahs army was taken, just to mention a few. The bad guys seem to get taken and the good guys left behind. I would rather be left behind
C
Called4Christ
Guest
D
DesiredHaven
Guest
The Lord is longsuffering, He not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance (thats the direction his goodness is leading us towards). Thats why the gifts and callings themselves are without repentance, that we might taste and see that the Lord is good, we are to account His longsuffering as salvation.
His longsuffering waited also in the days of Noah also, where it says few were saved.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)
And because he is good and upright, he will teach us sinners
Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8)
Although not being a minister of sin, His goodness, forbearance and especially his longsuffering come in here
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; (Romans 2:4a)
Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
He leads us to repentence by the same, and we are to account his longsuffering as this (even salvation)
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you; (2 Peter 3:15)
He is longsuffering "us-ward" it says,
not willing that any should perish but rather that all (including ourselves)
should come to repentence (that is still the directed course)
Thats us- ward
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Even as the longsuffering of God is noted as that which waited in the very days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20)
out of which time we are told few (eight in all) were actually saved.
His longsuffering waited also in the days of Noah also, where it says few were saved.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)
And because he is good and upright, he will teach us sinners
Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8)
Although not being a minister of sin, His goodness, forbearance and especially his longsuffering come in here
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; (Romans 2:4a)
Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
He leads us to repentence by the same, and we are to account his longsuffering as this (even salvation)
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you; (2 Peter 3:15)
He is longsuffering "us-ward" it says,
not willing that any should perish but rather that all (including ourselves)
should come to repentence (that is still the directed course)
Thats us- ward
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Even as the longsuffering of God is noted as that which waited in the very days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20)
out of which time we are told few (eight in all) were actually saved.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
What is one who denys Christ? (even if at one time they praised Christ and led others to Christ). According to scripture. that person is an anti-christ.
1 John 2: [SUP]22 [/SUP]Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son
And remember, that is the apostle John Speaking. not me. And what does John say of those who at one time were with us, but departed frm us (lost faith and now deny Christ)?
[SUP]19 [/SUP]They went out from us, but they WERE NOT OF US; for if they had been of us, they WOULD HAVE CONTINUED WITH US; but they went out that they MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST, that NONE OF THEM WERE OF US
People can yell and scream all they want that these men were saved, and lost it. But John says otherwise. It is not just people making up that they were never saved, Scripture states clearly. THEY WERE NEVER OF US. if they were, THEY WOULD HAVE STAYED.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
No, I do not have a holiness issue, It is you who has a holiness issue. True holiness is according to the law. Only one person is reverenced above all others, because he fulfilled the law.
He makes me holy in him, not in myself. He is the one who sanctifies me, I have no power to sanctify myself. And as he said, HE HAS PERFECTED FOREVER those he is sanctifying.
Again, 1 John 1:9 does not resave me because I lost salvation. It cleanses me of filth, because if I hide sin (like you) I become a hypocrite, and worthless to God.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
lol. So you take something out of context. making something say what it does not. and we are the ones denying the words of God?
That is sad my friend. The jews made a habit of doing this, thats why they could never receive Christ, they knew the word better than you and I probably ever will. but knowing it and understanding it is not the same. I can quote any sentence and make it appear to say whatever I want, it does not make me right.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
Your right, it will lead them to hell. Because their faith is in self. and what they do (or do not do) and not what Christ did.
As jesus said, Many will come saying they did all these great works in Jesus name, yet Jesus will claim he never knew them and lead them to hell. Their faith was in their deeds, not in the work of Christ. claiming to be saved, they were lost. because their faith never met up with Gods grace (unmerited favor)
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
lol, well if I or anyone like me taught what you just claimed you would be right. but since we do not teach this, Your fallacious argument is up in flames before it even got off the ground.
Your problem is, you reject licentiousness and replace it with legalism. Both are based on pride. both are rejected by God. and both will end up in hell unless they (you) repent and give your eternity to God so HE CAN SAVE YOU.
You can not save yourself. stop trying.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
Yep.
Faith will never die.
Mere belief will die, because it is not anchored on the one who can keep it.
When are you going to start trusting in God. and not just believing in him? If you would ever actually have faith in him (a full assurance) you would see how it could never die. Because God never lets you down and gives you a reason to stop trusting him, He is not like men, who fail us, he never fails us.
if people would stop humanizing God they would see this.
No, the Bible says elsewhere that you cannot reject Christ's words and be in favor with him.
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26).
1 John 2:4 says if you say you know him and do not keep his commandments, you are a liar.
1 John 3:15 says anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and we know no murderer has eternal life abiding in them. Meaning, you can't hate your brother and still be saved.
But do you need the word "obey" in there tied to salvation or a purification of your soul? I got two for you.
One verse says Jesus became the author of our eternal salvation to all them that OBEY him.
Hebrews 5:9
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
Another passage says we have purified our souls in obeying the truth.
1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
B
BradC
Guest
Psalm 130:3
ESV If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
AMP If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand?
Psalm 103 10-14
ESV He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
AMP He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14 For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
ESV If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
AMP If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand?
Psalm 103 10-14
ESV He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
AMP He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14 For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
E
eternally-gratefull
Guest
Amen
if he dealt with us and gave us what we deserve, no one would get to heaven, we would all be doomed.
S
sparkman
Guest
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Some believers commonly struggle with a lack of assurance of salvation.Reasons for this lack of assurance include spiritual immaturity and poor teaching.Some teachers and pastors believe that a Christian can lose their salvation, which is untrue and harmful to the growth of a new believer.Spiritually sensitive individuals, who realize their brokenness, tend to dwell in fear and self-condemnation if they lack assurance.Dwelling in fear and self-condemnation causes a lack of productivity, and hinders the believer’s relationship with God.God doesn’t want us to fear losing our salvation.Fear is the opposite of love, and it does not belong in a loving relationship (I John 4:8).Scripture is emphatic that God has steadfast love for those who are His, and that he will not leave or forsake us (John 6:35-40; Hebrews 13:5).We are not under God’s wrath and condemnation once we are saved (John 5:24; Romans 8:1), and God is totally for us.No force can separate us from his love (Romans 8:31-35).
An important reason for having assurance of salvation is that one cannot really love God in the fullest sense unless he is secure in his salvation.Those who deny eternal security feel like the threat of impending condemnation is still a reality.This handicaps their ability to truly do good works out of love rather than fear of condemnation.
Their view of salvation is like a father holding a pistol to his head and demanding that his son love him.How much love would be reflected if the son does acts to show love in such circumstances?
It is very helpful to understand ten major reasons why we should have assurance in our salvation.
The first point to understand is that we received eternal life at the moment of salvation (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35-40; John 6:47; John 6:54; John 10:28-29; John 11:25; Romans 6:23;1 John 5:11, I John 5: 13).Eternal means everlasting;without end.Eternal life is not probationary.It is nonsensical to claim otherwise.
The second point to understand is that salvation is God’s work.It is not our work (Psalm 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Matthew 19:25-26; John 6:39; Acts 28:28; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:28 ; Philippians 2:13).If salvation is God’s work, then the completion of it is based on his competency, not our own.Perseverance is guaranteed because it is based on his competency, not ours (Philippians 1:6; Jude 24).This is why Scripture speaks of our salvation in the past tense (Romans 8:28-30).
The third point is that eternal life and salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 5:15-17; Rom 6:23).Would God give us a free gift, then take it back again?The gifts and calling of God are without revocation (Rom 11:29).
The fourth point to understand is that, when we are saved, God adopted us as children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17 ; Galatians 4:4-7;Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1).God chastened his children; he does not cast them away (Hebrews 12:4-11).The goal of chastening is to correct us when we stray.
The fifth point to understand is that our salvation does not depend on our performance. It is about what Christ has done on the cross and our faith in his sacrifice and its sufficiency (Romans 10:13; 1 Peter 2:6).God has already qualified us for his Kingdom through the sacrifice of his Son (Colossians 1:12-14).We are more than conquerors through him (Romans 8:37).Christ is the source of our righteousness, and he has made us sufficient (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6).He made us perfect through his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14).Our works do not add to what Christ did on the cross, and our salvation was earned at the cross (Romans 11:6).
The sixth point to understand is that you received a new nature at conversion that wants to obey God.We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).We are reborn when we are saved (John 3). Would a person with this new nature want to reject God?Those who claim you can lose your salvation are asserting that it is possible to go back to the old nature.
The seventh point to understand is that our assurance is based on Christ’s ministry of prayer and intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34;Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1).Note especially Hebrews 7:25 that it is Christ who “saves to the uttermost” those who draw near to God.
Examples of Christ’s prayers for us include the prayers of Christ for Peter in Luke 22:31-34.Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.Christ also prayed for believers, including us, in John 17:6-26. He specifically mentioned in this prayer asking God to keep us from being lost (John 17: 11-12).Can anyone be a more powerful prayer warrior to have in our corner?
The eighth point to understand is that we enjoy unity with Christ when we were saved (Romans 6:5).We are no longer separate from Him, and that is why Scripture says we are in Christ (John 6:56; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5).We were baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27).We were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).Christ lives in us (Romans 8:10-20; Galatians 2:20).We are identified with him totally. Scripture says that we died with Christ (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20),are buried with Christ (Romans 6:4), were made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), were risen with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1) and are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).We experience unity with Christ in many ways…we are inseparable from him.
Unity with Christ has importance with regards to security as well.Christ does not deny us because he cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:11-13).Our unity with Christ is a powerful reason why he will not reject us.
The ninth point to understand is that God has covenanted with Christians in regards to eternal life, and that we can rely on God’s covenant love and loyalty, which endures forever.God’s covenant love is hesed in Hebrew.As an example of what God says about his covenant love, see Psalm 136.It repeatedly states that God’s steadfast love, or covenant love, endures forever.Another example of this covenant loyalty is found with ancient Israel.God has not given up on ancient Israel despite their lack of loyalty, as Romans 11 indicates.
This Hebrew word hesed is rendered steadfast love in the ESV.It would be a good exercise to scan through the Old Testament to see how often this word is mentioned in relation to those God has covenanted with.It is mentioned many, many times.
The tenth point to understand relates to God’s attributes.One of the attributes of God is omniscience.God knows everything, including all details about the future (Is. 46:10).How does this relate to assurance of salvation?
If God knows the details of the future, why would he bring someone to salvation, give them eternal life, and work within their life, then reach a point of giving up on them due to some sin?Is God schizophrenic?Why would he bother bringing someone to salvation if he knew the person was going to commit some sin that was going to cause them to reject Him totally and finally?As mentioned previously, he has not given up on ancient Israel, despite their sins (Romans 11).
Those who think a believer can lose their salvation don’t seem to understand God’s attributes.He knows the end from the beginning, and knows every sin the person will commit before they are saved.How would God be able to relate to a person honestly and in love if he knew that they were going to be lost at some point?
Only those who are saved should be assured of their salvation, though.Those who haven’t placed their faith in Christ are under God’s wrath.So, it’s important to know whether you are saved or not.How do you know if you’re saved?Scripture teaches that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).
We should examine the fruits of our salvation to see if they are present.Fruits are borne over time, so a new Christian may not be able to recognize these fruits earlier in their Christian walk.So, if you are young in the faith and don’t recognize these fruits earlier in your Christian walk, do not be discouraged.Over time, though, if you don’t observe these fruits in your life, you may have reason to consider whether you were saved.The fact that you are concerned is a good sign.Those who are not saved have little or no concern for their relationship with God.
1 John was written to give believers the assurance of their salvation (1 John 5:13).It gives signs of true believers.The first sign is that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God and his sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins (1 John 4:15; I John 5:1; 1 John 5:5).A second sign is that they do not practice a habitual lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9; I John 5:2).This does not mean that Christians cease to sin at conversion; it means that they do not continue to practice their sin with no concern for their disobedience.A third sign is that they continue with the Christian faith; they persevere in the faith (Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19).A fourth sign is that they love the brethren (1 John 3:14-16; I John 4:7-12; I John 4:21).A fifth sign is that they have the Holy Spirit, which is an internal witness that we belong to God (1 John 3:24).
Scripture is clear in teaching that believers have eternal security. It is also clear in teaching that those who are saved depart from evil (2 Timothy 2:19).Believers may experience long periods of spiritual fruitlessness, but they will never fall away from the faith completely and finally.
The fact that Christians struggling against a sin is a proof that they are saved.All believers struggle with such issues in their lives.Those who claim otherwise are either deceived or lying. The new believer should just keep on confessing the sin, and asking for cleansing, as I John 1:8-9 teaches.
Regular confession is very important.We never outgrow our need for God’s grace and our need for a Savior. Satan wants us to get frustrated, and to think that our situation is hopeless.There is no believer who wants to get back into close relationship with God who cannot do so.
Some believers commonly struggle with a lack of assurance of salvation.Reasons for this lack of assurance include spiritual immaturity and poor teaching.Some teachers and pastors believe that a Christian can lose their salvation, which is untrue and harmful to the growth of a new believer.Spiritually sensitive individuals, who realize their brokenness, tend to dwell in fear and self-condemnation if they lack assurance.Dwelling in fear and self-condemnation causes a lack of productivity, and hinders the believer’s relationship with God.God doesn’t want us to fear losing our salvation.Fear is the opposite of love, and it does not belong in a loving relationship (I John 4:8).Scripture is emphatic that God has steadfast love for those who are His, and that he will not leave or forsake us (John 6:35-40; Hebrews 13:5).We are not under God’s wrath and condemnation once we are saved (John 5:24; Romans 8:1), and God is totally for us.No force can separate us from his love (Romans 8:31-35).
An important reason for having assurance of salvation is that one cannot really love God in the fullest sense unless he is secure in his salvation.Those who deny eternal security feel like the threat of impending condemnation is still a reality.This handicaps their ability to truly do good works out of love rather than fear of condemnation.
Their view of salvation is like a father holding a pistol to his head and demanding that his son love him.How much love would be reflected if the son does acts to show love in such circumstances?
It is very helpful to understand ten major reasons why we should have assurance in our salvation.
The first point to understand is that we received eternal life at the moment of salvation (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 6:35-40; John 6:47; John 6:54; John 10:28-29; John 11:25; Romans 6:23;1 John 5:11, I John 5: 13).Eternal means everlasting;without end.Eternal life is not probationary.It is nonsensical to claim otherwise.
The second point to understand is that salvation is God’s work.It is not our work (Psalm 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Matthew 19:25-26; John 6:39; Acts 28:28; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:28 ; Philippians 2:13).If salvation is God’s work, then the completion of it is based on his competency, not our own.Perseverance is guaranteed because it is based on his competency, not ours (Philippians 1:6; Jude 24).This is why Scripture speaks of our salvation in the past tense (Romans 8:28-30).
The third point is that eternal life and salvation is a free gift from God (Rom 5:15-17; Rom 6:23).Would God give us a free gift, then take it back again?The gifts and calling of God are without revocation (Rom 11:29).
The fourth point to understand is that, when we are saved, God adopted us as children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17 ; Galatians 4:4-7;Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1).God chastened his children; he does not cast them away (Hebrews 12:4-11).The goal of chastening is to correct us when we stray.
The fifth point to understand is that our salvation does not depend on our performance. It is about what Christ has done on the cross and our faith in his sacrifice and its sufficiency (Romans 10:13; 1 Peter 2:6).God has already qualified us for his Kingdom through the sacrifice of his Son (Colossians 1:12-14).We are more than conquerors through him (Romans 8:37).Christ is the source of our righteousness, and he has made us sufficient (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6).He made us perfect through his sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14).Our works do not add to what Christ did on the cross, and our salvation was earned at the cross (Romans 11:6).
The sixth point to understand is that you received a new nature at conversion that wants to obey God.We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).We are reborn when we are saved (John 3). Would a person with this new nature want to reject God?Those who claim you can lose your salvation are asserting that it is possible to go back to the old nature.
The seventh point to understand is that our assurance is based on Christ’s ministry of prayer and intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:34;Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1).Note especially Hebrews 7:25 that it is Christ who “saves to the uttermost” those who draw near to God.
Examples of Christ’s prayers for us include the prayers of Christ for Peter in Luke 22:31-34.Christ prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.Christ also prayed for believers, including us, in John 17:6-26. He specifically mentioned in this prayer asking God to keep us from being lost (John 17: 11-12).Can anyone be a more powerful prayer warrior to have in our corner?
The eighth point to understand is that we enjoy unity with Christ when we were saved (Romans 6:5).We are no longer separate from Him, and that is why Scripture says we are in Christ (John 6:56; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 13:5).We were baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27).We were crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20).Christ lives in us (Romans 8:10-20; Galatians 2:20).We are identified with him totally. Scripture says that we died with Christ (Romans 6:8; Colossians 2:20),are buried with Christ (Romans 6:4), were made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5), were risen with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1) and are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).We experience unity with Christ in many ways…we are inseparable from him.
Unity with Christ has importance with regards to security as well.Christ does not deny us because he cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:11-13).Our unity with Christ is a powerful reason why he will not reject us.
The ninth point to understand is that God has covenanted with Christians in regards to eternal life, and that we can rely on God’s covenant love and loyalty, which endures forever.God’s covenant love is hesed in Hebrew.As an example of what God says about his covenant love, see Psalm 136.It repeatedly states that God’s steadfast love, or covenant love, endures forever.Another example of this covenant loyalty is found with ancient Israel.God has not given up on ancient Israel despite their lack of loyalty, as Romans 11 indicates.
This Hebrew word hesed is rendered steadfast love in the ESV.It would be a good exercise to scan through the Old Testament to see how often this word is mentioned in relation to those God has covenanted with.It is mentioned many, many times.
The tenth point to understand relates to God’s attributes.One of the attributes of God is omniscience.God knows everything, including all details about the future (Is. 46:10).How does this relate to assurance of salvation?
If God knows the details of the future, why would he bring someone to salvation, give them eternal life, and work within their life, then reach a point of giving up on them due to some sin?Is God schizophrenic?Why would he bother bringing someone to salvation if he knew the person was going to commit some sin that was going to cause them to reject Him totally and finally?As mentioned previously, he has not given up on ancient Israel, despite their sins (Romans 11).
Those who think a believer can lose their salvation don’t seem to understand God’s attributes.He knows the end from the beginning, and knows every sin the person will commit before they are saved.How would God be able to relate to a person honestly and in love if he knew that they were going to be lost at some point?
Only those who are saved should be assured of their salvation, though.Those who haven’t placed their faith in Christ are under God’s wrath.So, it’s important to know whether you are saved or not.How do you know if you’re saved?Scripture teaches that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5).
We should examine the fruits of our salvation to see if they are present.Fruits are borne over time, so a new Christian may not be able to recognize these fruits earlier in their Christian walk.So, if you are young in the faith and don’t recognize these fruits earlier in your Christian walk, do not be discouraged.Over time, though, if you don’t observe these fruits in your life, you may have reason to consider whether you were saved.The fact that you are concerned is a good sign.Those who are not saved have little or no concern for their relationship with God.
1 John was written to give believers the assurance of their salvation (1 John 5:13).It gives signs of true believers.The first sign is that they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God and his sacrifice for forgiveness of their sins (1 John 4:15; I John 5:1; 1 John 5:5).A second sign is that they do not practice a habitual lifestyle of sin (1 John 3:9; I John 5:2).This does not mean that Christians cease to sin at conversion; it means that they do not continue to practice their sin with no concern for their disobedience.A third sign is that they continue with the Christian faith; they persevere in the faith (Hebrews 3:14; 1 John 2:19).A fourth sign is that they love the brethren (1 John 3:14-16; I John 4:7-12; I John 4:21).A fifth sign is that they have the Holy Spirit, which is an internal witness that we belong to God (1 John 3:24).
Scripture is clear in teaching that believers have eternal security. It is also clear in teaching that those who are saved depart from evil (2 Timothy 2:19).Believers may experience long periods of spiritual fruitlessness, but they will never fall away from the faith completely and finally.
The fact that Christians struggling against a sin is a proof that they are saved.All believers struggle with such issues in their lives.Those who claim otherwise are either deceived or lying. The new believer should just keep on confessing the sin, and asking for cleansing, as I John 1:8-9 teaches.
Regular confession is very important.We never outgrow our need for God’s grace and our need for a Savior. Satan wants us to get frustrated, and to think that our situation is hopeless.There is no believer who wants to get back into close relationship with God who cannot do so.
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You are obviously not understanding. Did you go back and read from the beginning of chapter 2?
2 Peter 2:1-3
[SUP]1[/SUP]But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [SUP]2 [/SUP]And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Did a false prophet fall away from the faith? Doesn't really appear that the false prophet ever had true faith to fall away from.
2 Peter 2:9 [SUP] [/SUP]The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
The unjust, the false prophet is who 2 Peter 2:20-21 is talking about. Really all of 2 Peter 2.
Ephesians 2:8-9
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[SUP]9 [/SUP]Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Do you understand Salvation? Who is the Author and the Finisher of it?